New tool simplifies cell tracking data analysis

Studying cell migration is vital because it plays a crucial role in many biological processes, including immune response, wound healing, and cancer metastasis. Understanding how cells move and behave can lead to breakthroughs in treating diseases, developing new drugs, and creating innovative therapies. For example, in cancer research, tracking how cancer cells migrate can reveal how tumors grow and spread through the human body. This insight can led to the discovery of more efficient and targeted treatments to stop or even prevent metastasis.

Scientists have introduced CellTracksColab, a tool that simplifies cell tracking data analysis. This free platform leverages advanced techniques to help researchers study cell movement and behavior, which is crucial for understanding diseases and developing new treatments.

CellTracksColab is designed with all researchers in mind, ensuring it is user-friendly regardless of coding skills. It seamlessly integrates with various tracking software, such as TrackMate, to provide a smooth experience for all users.

“CellTracksColab makes it easier for scientists to analyze complex cell migration data and make new discoveries,” says Guillaume Jacquemet, one of the lead developers. The platform has already been tested with diverse datasets, revealing new insights into cell behaviors, such as T cell movement and cancer cell migration.

Plans are underway to enhance CellTracksColab further, including adding support for 3D tracking and more advanced features. As an open-source platform, it invites global collaboration to continually improve its capabilities.

The details of CellTracksColab are published in PLOS Biology, and the tool is available on GitHub and Zenodo for researchers worldwide.

Publication: Gómez-de-Mariscal et al., 2024. “CellTracksColab is a platform that enables compilation, analysis, and exploration of cell tracking data.” PLOS Biology. Access the full article here.

About the InFLAMES Research Flagship Center: The InFLAMES Research Flagship Center is a joint initiative of the University of Turku and Åbo Akademi University, aiming to integrate immunological and related research to develop new diagnostic and therapeutic tools for precision medicine.

For more information, please contact:

Guillaume Jacquemet, Associate Professor of Cell Biology, Åbo Akademi University
+358 50 323 5606
guillaume.jacquemet@abo.fi